Financial Aid & Enrollment Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Financial Aid & Enrollment Specialist supports students at its Goodyear, Arizona location. This position is responsible for providing student-focused support throughout the financial aid and enrollment process, with a primary focus on assisting domestic U.S. students with federal financial aid. The Specialist will guide students and families through FAFSA completion, financial aid requirements, eligibility documentation, and available funding options.

The role will also support students after they have applied to Avila University by helping them complete admissions and enrollment requirements and coordinating next steps through enrollment.

The ideal candidate has direct experience administering Federal Title IV financial aid programs, strong knowledge of Title IV regulations, and the ability to explain complex requirements to students and families in a clear and supportive manner.

  Responsibilities:

• Guide students and families through the FAFSA application and financial aid process.
• Assist students with FAFSA completion, required documentation, corrections, and resolution of outstanding financial aid requirements.
• Review FAFSA and student financial aid information to identify missing documentation, discrepancies, or eligibility issues.
• Counsel students and families regarding federal financial aid programs, grants, loans, scholarships, and other financing options.
• Process financial aid applications and support the determination and awarding of financial aid in accordance with federal regulations and University policies.
• Support verification, loan processing, Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, and other financial aid processes.
• Review and update student financial aid records and maintain accurate documentation.
• Utilize applicable federal financial aid systems, including COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal, and other institutional systems.
• Monitor student financial aid files and proactively follow up with students regarding outstanding requirements.
• Explain the potential financial aid impact of enrollment changes, withdrawals, or changes in academic status.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, financial aid policies, and applicable institutional procedures.
• Support financial aid reporting, reconciliation, audits, and compliance activities as required.
• Support students after an application for admission has been submitted.
• Assist applicants with completing outstanding admissions and enrollment requirements.
• Review student files for completeness and follow up regarding missing documentation.
• Provide students with clear information regarding admissions requirements, enrollment steps, deadlines, and next steps.
• Coordinate with Admissions, Registrar, Student Accounts, Academic Operations, and other departments to support a smooth student enrollment experience.
• Assist students in resolving administrative issues that may delay their enrollment.
• Support new student orientations, financial aid workshops, enrollment events, and other student-facing activities.
• Communicate with students through phone, email, in-person appointments, and other approved communication channels.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience required.
• Three or more years of direct financial aid experience, including financial aid packaging, federal loans, SAP, and professional judgment processes preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience required administering Federal Title IV financial aid programs, encompassing FAFSA completion, eligibility determination, verification, and a strong working knowledge of federal regulations.
• Experience with enterprise higher education platforms (such as Banner, Ellucian, Colleague, Campus Solutions, or Oracle Student Financial Planning) and previous experience supporting broader student services like admissions or student accounts preferred.
• Proficiency utilizing federal financial aid systems (including COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal) and general student information systems or databases.
• Strong student-focused customer service and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial aid information clearly and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strict attention to detail and accuracy when handling confidential financial information.
• Professional judgment and discretion, demonstrating the ability to interpret policies, apply regulatory requirements, and work collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to contribute to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students and multilingual learners, and contributes to equity and social justice through their work.

Successful candidates should be committed to contributing to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position, eligible for the usual and customary benefits. Avila University’s comprehensive benefit package includes a generous holiday schedule, tuition remission for employee and dependents, vacation and sick leave, retirement benefits and health insurance. 

Additional Employment Information:

Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran's status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.  

You must be at least 18 years of age to be employed by Avila University.

All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)” and produce requested documentation after employment.

In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the university's annual security and crime statistics report is available at -resources/campus-safety. A copy of this report is available upon request from the Campus Safety Office in the Whitfield building any weekday between 8am and 5pm.

Avila University requires the successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.